ERCOT Mandated Outages Ongoing

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ERCOT mandated outages are expected to continue. The Texas electric grid is experiencing an unprecedented shortfall in electric generation due to the extreme weather affecting the entire state. These outages are all in an effort to prevent a statewide blackout and even longer outages. SPEC is not in control of how long these outages last, when they occur or who is affected. These outages are happening across the entire state, regardless of utility. They are controlled by ERCOT and our generation and transmission provider, STEC.

These outages were intended to rotate, but obviously it has not worked that way for everyone. Some members have been unfairly out of power for hours, while others haven’t endured the same hardship. We are frustrated too. STEC has said there are some circuits that can’t be dropped due to ERCOT regulations, and they are having trouble shedding enough load from other circuits to bring some of our larger circuits back online for long periods of time. This is an issue happening to consumers across the state.

The demand for electricity across the state far exceeds the amount of power available right now. Extended outages will occur until enough electricity generation comes back online. While the weather will warm up a bit more here today, sub-freezing temperatures are still affecting generating units across the state.  ERCOT has provided no ETA on when we can expect these mandated outages to stop.

Our office will remain closed to the public today due to road conditions and closures. We are still working. Crews are still out trying to restore power where they can. Our office employees are working from home to assist you to the best of their abilities. Keep in mind, however, that they are also dealing with power, internet and water outages. Calls will continue to be routed through our call center. You can also report outages online through SmartHub: https://sanpatricioelectric.smarthub.coop/Login.html

To monitor ERCOT grid conditions: http://www.ercot.com